Opus William Zhu

Today, Chris Dechiara speaks about how he came to become a classically trained percussion player in a band and a rock drummer at night. 

A native from Boston, percussionist Chris DeChiara came of age at an apex in rock music history, drawing inspiration from the kit-shattering performances of pioneers Neil Peart, John Bonham, and Bill Ward, among other greats. DeChiara honed his craft at an early age, recording and playing the club circuit around Boston and New England before channeling his lifelong love of music into academic and professional pursuits.

DeChiara studied percussion performance at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and went on to complete his masters at the New England Conservatory. Here, DeChiara widened his repertoire to include theater, chamber, solo, studio, rock, jazz, drum corps, and classical performance. 

Having joined the Navy Band in 2001, DeChiara toured around the country with the concert band. However, he still is involved with rock music. He is in bands such as Dr. FU, Eyes of the Nile, and Herr Metal. 

Today, Dr. Jeongseon Choi speaks about her experiences playing with piano. She speaks about how she began to play piano and why she continues to perform and teach piano to this day. 

A native of S. Korea, Jeongseon Choi, made her first public debut with the Seoul Philharmonic at age eleven. After arriving in the US, she pursued her undergraduate degree in Piano Performance with Jacob Maxin at the New England Conservatory where she was the winner of the Commencement Concerto Competition and performed in the historic Jordan Hall. While working on her Master’s degree at Peabody Conservatory with Fernando Laires, she was granted a scholarship to study at the National Academy of Music in Oslo Norway with Einar Steen NØkleberg. Her DMA degree was completed under the guidance of Anne Koscielny at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her other teachers include Wha Kyung Byun of NEC and Raymond Hanson. Dr. Choi maintains her private studio in the Potomac area and active in performing and adjudicating.

Today, Don Baldini speaks about how he changed courses from playing the classical violin to pursuing jazz bass. He also gives advice to younger students, including a "million-dollar piece of advice." 

Mr. Don Baldini is an accomplished bass player. He has worked with many groups and big names such as Frank Sinatra, The Tonight Show Band, and Johnny Mathis. Once being a professor at Keene State College and a faculty member at Dartmouth College, Baldini also has much experience in teaching. 

Today, Dr. Joseph Lawson speaks about what it means to be well-rounded as a musician and why it is needed today. 

Dr. Joseph Lawson has been working in the Metropolitan Opera as the Assistant Chorus Master since 2008. He has also worked with many other groups such as the Pittsburgh Opera. Lawson received his Masters in Collaborative Piano at the Univesity of South California and received his Doctors of Musical Arts in Vocal Accompanying from the Manhattan School of Music. 

Mark Lawrence talks to us today about his experiences with trombone, piano, and violin growing up and how he decided on pursuing music instead of law. 

Mark Lawrence is a superb trombone player. He was the principal trombonist of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra from 1974 to 2007. He has also been a part of many well-known chamber groups such as Summit Brass, Empire Brass, the Center City Brass Quintet, "Four of a Kind," and Bay Brass. Lawrence is also a dedicated teacher, having taught at many prestigious schools such as the Colburn School, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the Music Academy of the West. 

Peter Erskine shares stories of him as a young drummer and all the lessons he has learned along the way.

Peter Erskine is an American jazz drummer and one of the most versatile and recorded instrumentalists alive. He has been on over 700 albums and has won two GRAMMY awards. He has played in the Stan Kenton Orchestra, Weather Report, and Steps Ahead and have worked with artists such as Diana Krall, Joni Mitchell, Vince Mendoza, Steely Dan, plus European musicians Jan Garbarek, Kenny Wheeler, Palle Danielsson, John Taylor, Kate Bush, Nguyen Lê, and Rita Marcotulli. You can find more information about Erskine and a database of music and other information at his website. https://petererskine.com/